BITE user comments - simontheeditor
Comments by simontheeditor
Had a Christmas meal there with friends recently. The food was surprisingly good, as was the beer. Staff friendly and efficient. However the pub has little atmosphere and largely caters for diners.
16 Dec 2018 13:02
The Land of Liberty, Peace and Plenty, Heronsgate
Very fine unspoilt pub which was very busy when I was there recently. Beer in very good condition/ Proves if you have a unique offer people will come.
16 Dec 2018 12:58
The Cheshire Cheese Hotel, Buxton
Excellent buzzy community local. Well worth a visit.
18 Sep 2018 15:41
Busy, surprisingly large micropub just off the main street. Didn't have much atmosphere.
And just because they do beers from unusual breweries doesn't mean that the beers themselves are any good. Although well-kept mine was just one step removed from home brew.
18 Sep 2018 15:39
Definitely a food pub. Food was above average, although they don't do Sunday roasts (we visited on a Sunday). Staff friendly but a little clueless. Beer however was very poorly kept too cold to disguise that it was past its best.
18 Sep 2018 15:36
Superb community local with three cracking ales on tap. Well worth a visit. At time of visit an extension was being built so that the landlord can offer food. Hopefully this will be as good as his beer.
18 Sep 2018 15:32
Surprisingly soulless pub close to the station. Warm welcome from barman in apron. The Orkney Dark Island was in cracking form. We tried the stovies - a beef and potato stew. Very good and cheap.
29 Aug 2017 10:43
The Stromness Hotel, Stromness
Hotel bar in restaurant area on first floor. I am not sure I''d want to drink there without eating. Two beers from Scapa when I was there. Good food and great views over the harbour.
29 Aug 2017 10:33
Public bar attached to Stromness Hotel. One real ale Scarpa Special which was rather tired. Full of local fishermen and other characters.
29 Aug 2017 10:18
Largely a restaurant catering for tourists, particularly divers and walkers. There is a separate bar area. Excellent beer (Orkney Dark Island) and friendly, efficient staff. We didn''t eat but the food looked very good. Almost certainly the best bar in Stromness
29 Aug 2017 10:16
The White Horse, Brancaster Staithe
Popular restaurant and hotel. Fortunately there is a proper bar, which sells the local Brancaster Brewery beers (one of only three such pubs). However I had Adnams Ghostship which was fine. As might be expected bar food is also available. My friends and I had a selection of sandwiches, again nothing special. Lots of staff, so swift service. Overall, very professionally run..
20 Aug 2017 20:43
Anchored in Worthing, Worthing
Tiny micropub in a street leading back from Marine Parade. Very friendly clientele. There were three local beers on at the time of my visit, a bit strong for my preference, but in good condition. There''s no bar so it can be hard to get served if the landlord staff is otherwise engaged behind the scenes.
20 Aug 2017 20:37
Excellent unchanged local with very good cheap beer and a range of good value bar snacks (cobs and pies). I had the All Nations Bitter, a recreation of the beer that was once brewed at the pub. Friendly bar staff and locals.
Comes close to perfection
14 Aug 2017 08:27
Fine Holden's pub with a large range of beers, not just from the brewery. Food available (nor Sunday). I had the Mild, which was excellent. Interesting old photos of workers at Holden's Brewery on walls.
14 Aug 2017 08:18
Surprisingly unspoilt pub close to the Grand Union Canal. I had a cracking pint of Adnams Ghostship. It has the largest beer garden I think I have ever come across. Friendly and helpful staff. Does food, which looked OK, but I didn't try it.
1 Aug 2017 19:36
The Richmond Arms was closed for well over a year and has just reopened as The Richmond Tap Tavern selling craft beers and gin with an American craft beer bad vibe. As might be expected it very much aims to attract the local hipsters. The staff were friendly and efficient, the real ale (Kew Brew Pagoda No 5) was excellent - perhaps the best pint I've had this year. There are three real ales and sixteen craft beers There is also food, which I did not try, but it looks rather pricey.
It might give some of the other local pubs, which have become rather complacent, a run for their money.
30 Jul 2017 16:34
Rambling multi-room pub on the riverside. It is very old - the outside of the building looked Tudor. Excellent beer and interesting food menu, although the food didn't quite delivery. There can be nowhere nicer on a fine summer's evening. Last visit slightly marred by a party of very drunk people and their long-suffering children.
15 Jul 2017 10:45
Friendly multi-room Shepherd Neame pub with good beer and excellent staff. There's also a garden. Well worth a visit.
15 Jul 2017 10:41
Small corner local tucked away near Farringdon Road with faux Victorian fittings. Three hand pumps, one with GK IPA the others with microbrewery beers - Windsor & Eton on my visit.. On pouring my beer the landlord poured away the top quarter and refilled as it had been in the pipes awhile. I hadn't seen anything like this for thirty years. Needless to say it was a perfect pint! There's also a range of craft beers in bottles and cans. Does food but I did not try it. Well worth a visit.
28 Jun 2017 07:40
The Horse and Groom, Great Portland Street
Very fine multi-room Victorian bar with very efficient and friendly staff. Good beer too. It is usually very busy and deservedly so. Food served in first floor bar restaurant, which is a tad disappointing.
1 Jun 2017 08:34
Wonderful multi-roomed pub a few minutes away from Micklegate, but enjoyed by discerning drinkers of all ages. A small selection of ales - the regulars being Taylor's Golden Best and Tiger. The Golden Best was in superb form. No food, but you can buy home made pork pies and sometimes there is loaves of bread and eggs at bargain prices.
No trip to York would be complete without calling in.
23 Apr 2017 18:43
Micropub on 5 bus route from Wolverhampton. Split level pub, rather more spacious than appears from the outside. Four beers from micro-breweries and two ciders. The beers I had were in extremely good condition. Small discount for CAMRA members. No food, but a small range of snacks. Friendly and efficient service. It is the first pub I have ever been too where the landlady formally thanked me for my visit.
8 Apr 2017 18:12
Excellent locals pub, tho perhaps a bit too twee for some. Excellent pint of Tring Risers Bitter. Good and friendly service. They get it right, while the Boat a few yards down the canal get it so wrong.
7 Apr 2017 08:37
Disappointing Fullers clone pub with average microwaved food from a central kitchen somewhere. When I was there the bar staff were inefficient, but pleasant enough. Good beer though, but it should be at these prices.
7 Apr 2017 08:33
The Great Western, Wolverhampton
Stunningly good pub with some of the best bar staff in the business. Great beer, sensible prices.
7 Apr 2017 08:30
A little gem of a pub. Properly staffed with four friendly and efficient barmaids at busy times. I had Revd James Golden Bitter which was excellent. There's overspill space in the quiet courtyard behind.
27 Mar 2017 15:30
Small busy pub in what appears to be the middle of nowhere. It was full of young professionals. A great contrast to the depressed looking Old School Yard, a locals pub, further down Long Lane.
Good range of mainly mcrobrewery beers. There seems to be a tie-up with the One Mile End Brewery - I had their Great Tom Mild, which was excellent.
The only food available was sharing plates and a ploughman's lunch. A bit expensive for what you got. However it is good to find a modern pub which does not rely on food to turn a profit.
11 Feb 2017 15:39
Busy pub with good beer (Palmers). Food was OK, but clearly microwaved. They do not take credit cards as a group of American tourists found out to their cost. The staff were somewhat bored and not overly service focused, but efficient enough.
9 Jan 2017 16:47
Definitely a restaurant and not a pub, but at least it sold some beer.
9 Jan 2017 16:45
Very fine community-owned pub. Friendly barmaid. Excellent beer - Hooky.
9 Jan 2017 16:43
Richmond's smallest pub. Elsewhere it might be described as being a micropub. Small selection of real ale, of which Wainwirght's is probably the best. Suffers from not being well-managed. Often on a Saturday the bar stuff are drunk and there are too many locals in a state of tipsiness which can be tiring.
4 Dec 2016 19:15
Quiet two bar pub with an overwhelmingly elderly clientele. Beer quality poor. A pity as the pub has lots of potential.
4 Dec 2016 19:10
Very friendly pub with good beer (London Pride) and food, as it is really more of a restaurant than a pub. Well worth a visit particularly if you are hungry.
16 Nov 2016 08:20
The Red Lion Inn, Shoreham by Sea
Rambling historic pub with extensive menu (lunchtime and evenings only). Three real ales from local microbreweries when we were there. Nice aroma of wood smoke throughout the pub from the real fire. Definitely worth a visit.
20 Feb 2016 19:35
The Swiss Cottage, Shoreham by Sea
Definitely a pub serving food. Only real ale on was Greene King IPA. We did not stay.
20 Feb 2016 19:33
Excellent micropub serving a fine pint of Harvey's Best. Friendly and efficient barmaid. Apart from the music from the radio perfect in every way.
20 Feb 2016 19:31
Pub definitely closed in 2010 - visit the Wrong Turn instead!
11 Jan 2016 12:12
Very fine micropub in a former artist's studio. Well worth looking out for, but you will need a map as it is hard to find. Three beers in excellent condition, quiet. Friendly and efficient landlady and friendly locals. Dogs welcome. No food, except scratchings from a local butcher. Not open at lunchtimes. This comes close to being the perfect pub.
11 Jan 2016 12:12
Went to the Boot one afternoon just after Christmas. Place was very busy with a mixture of shoppers and locals. I had some sort of Golden Ale which was in good condition. Had a roaring fire which is always a good sign. Food look reasonable. Service slightly amateurish, but didn't cause a problem.
30 Dec 2015 19:22
Potentially fine locals pub with tasty beer, but spoilt by miserable landlord and unhelpful landlady.
30 Dec 2015 19:17
Classic hard to find pub behind the Luxembourg Embassy in Belgravia. Expect surly service, bad beer and high prices which the baying crowd of lawyers and accountants can easily afford.
20 Aug 2015 08:14
Large pub near the sea front, although the sea defences means that you can't see the sea from the outdoor drinking area. Clearly a chain pub,, but the beer was OK and food reasonable, Good service, but I don't think I would drink here if I was a local. as it totally lacks atmosphere.
10 Aug 2015 12:03
Largish pub with shady beer garden about ten minutes walk from Norwich Station. Popular with football fans, but mainly a locals pub. About half a dozen beers on, mainly from local microbreweries. Takes pride in not serving food, but as it is always busy does not need to.
10 Aug 2015 12:00
Small pub hidden away but very busy with football fans and locals when we visited on a warm summers evening. Good range of well kept fans. Prides itself on food, particularly pizzas. Small river terrace and drinking area. Well worth coming out of the centre of the city for.
10 Aug 2015 11:57
Small pub with large drinking area and beer garden behind. Selling Grain beers. Friendly welcome. Did a very good and cheap Sausage and Onion pie.
10 Aug 2015 11:54
Essential pub for real ale enthusiasts. Good beer, including a choice of traditional bitters. It was packed on a Friday evening.
10 Aug 2015 11:51
The Berney Arms Inn, Berney Arms
Unique pub in the middle of the Broads. Popular with walkers and boaters. Service was chaotic, but friendly. The beer was in good condition. There is an Interesting interior.
It is well worth a visit.
However at time of writing the pub is under threat of closure As a result opening hours are erratic and it is essential to ring ahead, otherwise you may have a long trek for nothing.
10 Aug 2015 11:48
The Cock Inn, Bishop's Stortford
Closed and boarded up (July 2015). Shame as this once was a cracking boozer.
23 Jul 2015 19:57
The Nags Head, Bishop's Stortford
Unique art deco pub on the outskirts of Bishops Stortford. All credit to McMullens for turning the place around. Worth a visit, but the beer isn't very exciting. Very much a food led place. There's a large menu offering variations on grilled meat and salads. Portions are huge and the quality is OK. There's a small garden which gets busy on fine evenings.
This is probably the best pub in town.
23 Jul 2015 19:56
The Red Cow, Bishops Stortford
Now closed and at the time of writing (July2015) being turned into housing.
23 Jul 2015 19:51
An excellent community multi-bar local with good beer, interesting looking food (but this definitely a pub not a restaurant), and lots of locals. On Wednesdays it has a group of Irish folk musicians playing in one corner. Could without Magic FM though.
It is definitely worth seeking out if you are in the area.
23 Jul 2015 19:50
An attractive pub, almost a throwback to the 1980s for all the wrong reasons. The beer was dreadful (Youngs Ordinary and Truman Invicta), the barmaid was bored, the landlady was keener to talk to her obnoxious friends rather than serve the customers, and there was no food. It is little surprise that the place was deserted at 7.30pm. Under proper management this pub should be thriving
7 Jul 2015 07:43
Now under new ownership. but nothing seems to have changed. A classic two bar local, which is almost an extinct species. We went into the saloon bar, which doesn't seemed to have changed since the 1970s. Good beer, good and cheap food and a warm welcome from the landlord. Excellent.
22 Jun 2015 17:03
The Grape and Grain, Crystal Palace
Large pub with similar layout and feel to a Spoons house (its only disadvantage). Although the uniform grey is rather depressing, persevere as the beer is excellent (choose from a range of micros and national brands such as Adnams) and the food very good (and offering value for money). Try the Spanish stew if it is on - very tasty and unusual. We were there late afternoon on a Saturday and the place was slowly filling up with drinkers. Well worth a visit.
5 Jan 2015 18:51
The Express Tavern, Kew Bridge
I have been a regular for many years. And like most of the other regulars was a bit apprehensive about the changes. However the new pub is settling in nicely with an interesting range of ales and ciders. I've yet to have a bad pint.
The only real issue has been with the music which can be obtrusively loud (and they do seem to like Bob Marley), but the bar staff will turn it down if asked.
It is still a good place to go to meet friends for a drink.
6 Dec 2014 09:44
Remarkably a pub which Youngs hasn't ruined! Four small bars divided by wooden screens and a larger saloon bar remain - a unique survival in London's pubs . It has been refurbished since I visited last ten years ago and somewhat improved. Youngs Ordinary in good condition. There's a dining room adjacent to the pub through which you go to get to the loos.
3 Dec 2014 15:34
The Warrington Hotel, Maida Vale
A classic pub now revived in new hands. Gordon Ramsey having sold up several years ago. Beer was good (and they willing replaced some beer which was off). Friendly and helpful bar staff. Food is available but remarkably it hasn't become a food-led place. We had Sunday roast which was pretty good and pretty good value at £15.
Definitely worth a visit.
3 Dec 2014 15:30
Slightly rambling 1960s pub just away from the centre of St John's Wood selling Sam Smith's beers. No real ale but their keg stout is pretty good. We were there on a Sunday lunchtime and the place was heaving with families, but I guess if you go at other times the drinkers would be maturer. friendly Kiwi barmaid, worth a visit if you are in the area.
3 Dec 2014 15:27
Victorian pub very much for locals. We were in early evening and the real ale Morlands Original was surprisingly good. Friendly dog and cat.
29 Oct 2014 21:40
Two bar Edwardian free house in Upper Upnor. Friendly and efficient staff. After a long walk six of use called in for Sunday lunch at 4pm they couldn't have been more helpful, and the food was excellent. The beer (Welton's Sussex Pride) was also in very good condition. A good example of what a modern pub should be about.
29 Oct 2014 21:38
Fairly recently reopened by the Kirkstall Brewery mainly selling their beers. It is unusually configured with an upstairs bar (and back bar) and a dog friendly downstairs bar leading to a commodious car park and access to the Aire valley walk.
The pub has been sensitively restored with lots of interesting breweriana on the walls. There's a small bar menu (but be warned food stops at 8pm). My friend had a huge pizza and I had a Greek salad - both very tasty. Cold platters are available after 8pm.
The beers were in good condition, although not cheap. I had their Pale and Best Bitters
Definitely worth a trip out of Leeds.
19 Sep 2014 15:19
Classic Victorian pub, remarkably little spoilt. Now a buy pub attracting people of all ages with a range of beers and food. The freshly cooked food comes from a small menu and is well-priced. A small range of real ales, lagers and craft beers. I had the Leeds Pale Ale which was excellent. Not cheap at £3.45. It shows what can be done to keep a pub alive, considering the Adelph is not close to any housing.
17 Sep 2014 20:45
Great Eastern Tavern, Hertford
Old fashioned community pub of the best sort, with two distinct bars. My beer AK was very good. Worth the five minute walk from Hertford East station.
5 Jul 2014 17:55
Smaller than it seems pub in middle of gentrified houses. Lots of etched glass and the like. The barman is one of the hardest working bartenders I have come across. The beer was excellent (Sambrook's Lavender Hill @ £4.10 per pint) and very good food. Definitely one to revisit.
24 Jun 2014 10:40
One of the great community pubs CAMRA is always banging on about but you rarely see. Beer from local brewery Chalk Hill - OK, but not very exciting. My CHB was in good condition.
23 Jun 2014 08:57
The Reindeer Pub & Kitchen, Norwich
Looked a nice gastropub with range of beers. Sadly we never found out. Despite there being plenty of empty dining tables we arrived at eight pm last Saturday, told they weren't taking 'walk-ins' to 9pm. We leave. We come back at 9. There are still plenty of tables empty. We are told the kitchen can't accommodate us to 9.30pm. We leave. I hadn't come across anything like this since the days of the old GDR. The moral is if you want eat here you had better book.
23 Jun 2014 08:54
This Is Norwich's hidden pub. Although if is a hotel bar it is open to the public and well worth a visit. It is off the Wine Press restaurant. The bar has a cosy Victorian feel and is very atmospheric. The beers come from Woodforde and include a house beer. Unfortunately the beer quality is not high, probably because there isn't much demand, which is a pity. Service is excellent. There is a small bar menu or you can eat in the restaurant.
21 Jun 2014 15:25
The Botanist On The Green, Kew
Since my last review almost a year ago, the pub has been taken over by Marstons. The food is a bit better than it was - but still not brilliant - and the beer quality was good. Friendly and helpful staff. The real problem is the prices - it may sell the most expensive beer in Kew - the food offering is also expensive for what you get.
13 Jun 2014 15:51
In a town increasingly full of gastropubs and pub restaurants this is a refreshing survivor of a proper local full of genuine locals from the streets nearby. It is an ex-Youngs house, now a freehouse, but still selling Young' beer range. I had Youngs Ordinary which was fine.
13 Jun 2014 15:48
Very pleasant country pub, just away from the River Thames. It has been surprisingly well extended since my last visit probably thirty years ago. We did not eat, but sat in the large beer garden enjoying the sunshine and the antics of the publican's pet turkey. I had Wychwood Brakspear bitter which was in good condition. We did not eat.
13 Jun 2014 15:44
Large rambling pub on edge of Cousldon Common with beer garden. Always busy on fine weekends and bank holidays. Reasonable if uninspiring range of beer. I had London Pride which was in good condition. Large food menu, but I fear that Brake Brother's vans often call and much is microwaved. The staff are pleasant, but have difficulty coping when it is busy. It took nearly an hour for our food to arrive.
10 May 2014 15:01
Large community pub on a Greenwich side street. Nine real ales I had a nice pint of Hackney G) and an extensive menu. Very friendly and helpful staff when we visited.
22 Apr 2014 08:13
Much improved pub. Now very much food orientated but it is possible to get a drink. A couple of well kept ales. I had the Trumans Runner. Very friendly and efficient staff.
30 Nov 2013 15:49
Characterful old pub encrusted with breweriana. Clearly these days more of a restaurant than a pub, but there is a still a large bar area with range of mainly local beers. Have eaten here in the past and the food was good. My beer this time was fine.
3 Oct 2013 17:29
Old food orientated pub. Friendly staff. Didn't eat but the beer (King Bitter) was fine.
3 Oct 2013 17:27
The Sir Roger Titchbourne, Alfold Bars
Large country pub, definitely more a restaurant than a pub. However it is possible to have a drink and not eat. Not unattractive bar area in the original pub and a modern restaurant extension. Both beer and food were good.
3 Oct 2013 17:25
Small two bar pub on the main road through the town which originally must have been a cottage.It has several smoking areas and a garden. It is definitely designed for the maturer customer and the beer lover. Three beers on. I had Marlow Rebellion which was fine. Well worth a visit.
20 Sep 2013 22:15
Tiny pub on East Common, but surprisingly spacious inside. Two bars with the back bar being mainly for meals. It is a Greene King house although they sold beers from Tring. Our pints were fine, although Tring's beer are not especially full flavoured. The food was adequate although perhaps a little on the expensive side. It makes great efforts to be a community pub with a range of events.
20 Sep 2013 22:12
One bar freehouse. Outside they were promoting its real ales, but the selection was distinctly ordinary from the Wells and Youngs brewery. Youngs Ordinary was, well, a but ordinary.
Soulless, but there was a friendly pub cat to give a bit of atmosphere. Perhaps the place is busier at weekends.
12 Sep 2013 17:49
The Rifle Volunteers, Maidstone
My God, visiting this pub was like going back forty years. Just me, one other customer and the distinctly strange landlord on a wet Wednesday evening. Even the beer Goacher's Mild had that distinctive just going off favour I remember all too much from my student days.
Why is it so empty for a pub in the GBG and the local CAMRA branch's Pub of the Year 2012. Perhaps it is some internal CAMRA joke.
12 Sep 2013 17:45
Attractive multi-room pub (with theatre) on edge of Bedford Park conservation area and almost next to Turnham Green station. It sells a range of micro-brewery beers. I had Old Slug Porter which was in excellent condition. Does food which i did not sample but it looked fine.
10 Aug 2013 15:41
Food orientated pub on the edge of Old Lewes. Does excellent value B&B (with great breakfast). Rather soulless faux gastropub atmosphere and perhaps as a result almost deserted on our visit. Beer was in good condition tho'.
3 Aug 2013 21:41
Rambling Victorian style freehouse with an emphasis on food. A range of standard real ales, could not complain about my London Pride although it was served too cold. Good range of food and my sandwiches were OK. Not much atmosphere and perhaps not really a locals pub, but alright.
3 Aug 2013 21:39
The Botanist On The Green, Kew
Large brewpub on Kew Green with half a dozen beers. I had the 391 Mild OK but nothing special. We had the Mediterranean platter - a not very interesting selection of Middle Eastern snacks. The place was packed, but often I've walked past and it has been deserted. Could and should try harder.
3 Aug 2013 21:35
Just been back after fifteen years and the place hadn't changed at all. Splendid old fashioned basic boozer selling excellent beer.
28 Jul 2013 19:33
The Hare and Hounds, Manchester
Excellent boozer - just like pubs used to be. A bouncer on the door keeps it that way! Fine pint of Holts.
28 Jul 2013 19:30
Food orientated pub about fifteen minutes walk from the East Lancs Railway station. Probably not really worth making much of a effort as the food when we went was rather unexciting as indeed was the beer (Hartley's XPA). Nice view over the countryside with trains at the bottom of the meadow.
28 Jul 2013 19:28
Excellent backstreet local (although close to the riverside) with friendly and helpful barman. One of a declining number of proper pubs run by Youngs: presumably it is too small for them to wreck. The beer (Naked Ladies) was excellent. Have been visiting the pub for over thirty years and it hasn't really changed very much. Long may it continue.
13 Jul 2013 18:27
Large rather soulless gastropub in battlefield grey on Wey Navigation. This must have been a nice pub but extensions and ripping out the interior has destroyed any character it once had. That said the beer (Hall & Woodhouse Tanglefoot) was fine. Did not try the food. Visited on a hot afternoon when the extensive outside seating by the canal was packed.
13 Jul 2013 18:23
Rambling pub on Wey Navigation with extensive garden. Basically mealies for wheelies. That said, the beer (Adnams) was excellent and the food was reasonably priced with large portions. Friendly barmaid.
13 Jul 2013 18:19
Large rather soulless gastropub in typical battleship grey with largish garden. Didn't try the food but the beer (Fullers) was fine. Visit marred by the fact that staff did their best to get rid of customers by 10.50pm. Why do this?
13 Jul 2013 18:15
The West Brewing Company, Glasgow
Large American style brewpub which was packed on a sunny Friday evening in an old carpet factory on Glasgow Green. In general it caters for an affluent younger crowd. I had the Hefeweizen which was superb. My companion the St Mungo's lager and Red Beer which was also enjoyed. The food is German influenced. The burgers are much praised, but I had the Wiener Schnitzel which was OK. You probably need to reserve a table if you are planning to eat tho'.
27 May 2013 12:22
L-shaped bar with several distinctive drink areas catering for a more affluent/old clientele. Has been carefully restored and is well worth visting on that account alone. Small range of beers - I had the Deuchars IPA which was in fine form.
27 May 2013 12:16
The Charles Dickens, Southwark
When it comes writing the history of the decline of the British pub I hope space will be found for a discussion of how publicans, breweries and pubcos have destroyed pubs by insensitive restoration and poor design.
The Charles Dickens is an example of this. It is potential a fine community local which is being strangled by what the owners think the punters (and which we rarely do).
It ticks almost all the boxes of what not to do. TV screens tick, loud music tick, faux gastropub layout tick, large open space for vertical drinking tick, lack of atmosphere and purpose tick.
The food was at best average. Staff were OK.
Still the beer was good (and reasonably priced for this part of London) with some interesting micro-brews.
There is potentially a good pub here, but...
11 May 2013 19:08
Large modern pub with rather bland interior. Large garden. I did not have high expectations, but they were confounded. The real ale (Adnams Broadside) was excellent and the food surprisingly good. They had three beers on and were doing their best to promote real ale.
I can't say if I lived in Chislehurst I'd become a regular but it does what it sets out to do reasonably well.
3 May 2013 20:08
Excellent fake Victorian local with a range of real ale on. But I had the Brains Dark and it was excellent. Large smoking area in the rear.
27 Mar 2013 18:52
The Commercial Inn, Pontyminster
Rambling pub about ten minutes walk from the new Risca train station. Well worth getting off to stretch the legs with a pint or two of excellent beer as a reward. It is very much a community pub. A unique feature is that the smoker's annex is a veranda at the front of the pub overlooking the road which gives the place a vague Wild West feel.
27 Mar 2013 18:48
Excellent community pub. Very busy when I was there on Saturday afternoon. The beer was in superb form. Friendly and efficient staff.
17 Mar 2013 08:39
Small freehouse near where the Royal Marines barracks used to be. A large range of ales and quiet busy for an early Saturday evening. I'm not sure that the beer was that good a condition, but this may just be me.
27 Jan 2013 22:09
Very quiet during our lunchtime visit. Beer -Andwell Resolution - in top condition though. Food was a little disappointing - I had a lamb kofte kebab which managed to be both over-cooked and raw in the middle, but it was nicely presented. It is probably very different on a Friday or Saturday night.
2 Jan 2013 20:06
The Duke of Hamilton, Hampstead
Excellent friendly locals pub hidden behind Heath Street. Unlike most of Hampstead's pubs this is not a restaurant masquerading as a inn. Good pint of Hophead.
2 Jan 2013 19:58
Visited on the day after they reopened after a short new year break. Very obliging service and a good pint. Clearly a food led place tho'
2 Jan 2013 19:56
Excellent mixture of local and CAMRA pub with five ales in good condition (Fullers ESB and Pride and three microbrewery guests). Basic food is also served with generous proportions.
Smallish one room pub on two levels hidden away from Deptford High Street.
Only complaint permeating smell of old chip fat especially at back of pub by the toilets (and the kitchen).
31 Dec 2012 17:30
Large carefully restored Victorian pub owned by Nicholsons, just down the hill from Clapham Junction station. Claims to have the largest bar in London. Was in there one Monday lunchtime recently and was impressed. A choice of 19 beers I had Red Squirrel London Porter and my companions Adnams Bitter - both very good. Food standard Nicholson's microwaved tucker - filled a hole. Avoid the pork scratchings - £2.60 a bag - fortunately the barman warned me. Friendly staff and good service (might not apply at busier times of the week).
15 Dec 2012 16:59
Small local pubs with two bars. When I went recently on a Monday night there were several games of crib going on - a rare sight these days. Most people seemed to be drinking the mild or old.
15 Dec 2012 16:53
Years ago when I last visited this used to be a faux-Victorian pub and very comfortable it was too. Went in yesterday to find that it had changed to less welcoming gastropub standard design which doesn't suit the place at all (and over loud background music). Friendly service and good beer (if pricy). Food slightly disappointing. Its a pity that Youngs have yet again ruined what was once a cracking pub.
6 Nov 2012 15:27
Large rambling pub with lots of small areas on various levels. There are two large beer gardens which must be heaven on a warm summer's evening. The beer (Goacher's Bitter) was excellent and sensibly priced. But clearly most of the trade involves food. We got there just after lunch and the pub was full of a sour small of cooking fat which was off-putting.
31 Jul 2012 18:19
The Salehurst Halt, Robertsbridge
Although it was possible to have a drink, most people were eating when we visited one recent lunchtime. And clearly they make most of their trade from food. I have to say the menu was imaginative and value for money. The beer (Harvey's Best) was excellent. One jarring note was the intrusive piped music.
31 Jul 2012 18:15
It's like going back in time sixty or seventy years. Doris, the landlady is 83, and bright as a button (although rather deaf). A couple of beers and a cider from the barrel, no lager and definitely no food, piped music or Sky sports. Long may it continue.
31 Jul 2012 18:11
Busy freehouse on edge of city centre. Large range of beers in good condition. Could do with more dark ales. Try also the pub's sister pub the Post Office Vaults.
23 Jul 2012 11:06
Hard one to call. One member of our party was 'banned' because of some confusion over the order which cast a pall over our visit, but the beer (Golden Glow) was excellent. Does not do food at weekends.
23 Jul 2012 11:03
Large spacious modern pub, although perhaps a tad soulless. The beer Banks Mild and Bitter was good and the food filled a hole, although it was clearly microwaved or came from catering packs.
23 Jul 2012 10:58
The King and Castle, Kidderminster
Very good recreation of station refreshment room at terminus of Severn Valley Railway. Friendly staff and good quality beer (Bathams Bitter). The quality of Hobson's Mild also remarked upon by others in party.
23 Jul 2012 10:55
The Great Western, Wolverhampton
Stunningly good pub. Has increased range of beers since last visit four years ago without any detriment to quality. Friendly and helpful staff. Marred only by TV screens in several bar areas, but fortunately the sound was turned off so could largely be ignored
23 Jul 2012 10:53
Combermere Arms, Wolverhampton
Friendly Victorian pub with several small rooms and a small backyard for smokers. Famous for the tree growing in the gents. Had Banks Mild which was very good.
23 Jul 2012 10:50
The Newhampton Inn, Whitmore Reans
Busy Victorian suburban pub with large number of rooms and a bowling green. Beer at �3.50 a pint is a expensive for the area, but made up for in part by pretty good home made pies and chips at �3.25. The beer Enville Ale was in good condition tho'.
23 Jul 2012 10:48
We visited on a Friday afternoon when there was a vast array of beers none of which were in very good condition. The Liverpool Organic Chocolate and Vanilla Stout was awful (it was not off just a very bad beer). Nice Edwardian building with a range of different bars and rooms.
23 Jul 2012 10:46
Busy friendly 18th century pub with brewery in back yard. I had a fine pint of Ma Pardoe's bitter and an excellent cheese and onion cob. Noted for the wall murals.
23 Jul 2012 10:42
Characterful pub/hotel despite the attempts by Youngs to stamp their corporate presence on, possibly because there is a strong locals contingent. Beer good, though not cheap. I have had good food here, but I heard otherwise. Popular smoking area out at the front.
13 Jul 2012 21:23
Great community pub with good beer and excellent value food. The pub is well designed with separate eating and drinking areas and even a restaurant areas. Certainly I have never encountered small children here in the evenings, so perhaps this is when the child adverse should visit. This is perhaps the best pub (and busiest) in Kew.
13 Jul 2012 21:18
Possibly the closest pub to Tunbridge Wells station and well worth a visit. In decor and design it is reminiscent of a Weatherspoon's pub and was rather quiet when I called in mid-evening. But the beer was excellent and keenly priced and the welcome warm. It is the first pub for many a year when I was offered a choice between a straight glass or a handle.
4 Jul 2012 08:15
Surprisingly bland pub in the modern style with one large room. They have now started food which was a tad disappointing as was the beer. Perhaps things will sort themselves out when they have more customers.
4 Jul 2012 08:11
An American style brewpub on several levels. Many people have hailed it as a beacon of decent ale in Ireland. The beer (Plain Porter) was certainly very good, although the Oyster Stout had a strange gingery taste. I had a burger, which was very overdone. However, the worse thing about the place was the service. There weren't enough servers and they were badly organised. And the music was very loud.To sum up offers American style ambience, but without American efficiency. I hate to think what must be like in the height of the tourist season.
5 Jun 2012 13:53
Rambling food orientated pub selling food and several real ales, but a number of locals were drinking in the front bar. Also has accommodation. Good quality food and very good beer (Horsham Best Bitter). It seemed slightly soulless and the irritating waitress with her catchphrase of 'Guys' was still there (but service was efficient).
10 May 2012 08:10
After three months closure for massive refurbishment the pub has recently reopened as a typical Young's faux Victorian gastropub. Time will tell whether the change is for the better.When we visited it was clearly still finding its feet as the service was rather slapdash and nobody quite knew what they were supposed to be doing.
The food was disappointing. My burger was very overdone and my companion's spatchcock chicken rather dry. And we couldn't make out whether the side salad had any dressing or not.
Still the beer (Sambrooks Wandle) was excellent and my companion's Special was also very good. This is a big improvement on the old Shaftesbury where beer quality could a bit slapdash.
The pub is now rather expensive - central London prices - where once it was one of the cheaper pubs in Richmond.
24 Apr 2012 08:08
Oxford's first Arkells pub. Definitely upmarket with a gastropub vibe, but still friendly and you can have a drink without eating, although most people were. Beer very good as was the food. The only problem is with the rather forward bar staff who clearly have been told to engage their customers in conversation. I wish they wouldn't.
23 Apr 2012 18:58
Jon the old landlord left fairly recently and it is now under new management. The brewery Fullers have redecorated and made some changes, mainly for the worse, but it is still a drinkers pub. Now has over-loud piped music and rather bright white walls which are not particularly welcoming. As a result I think it has lost a lot of the character for which it was famous. Still a cracking pint of ESB tho'
23 Apr 2012 18:55
Very much a locals pub I suspect. Good pint of Harveys. Superb view of sea and an easy walk from Deal or over the cliffs from Dover.
23 Apr 2012 18:52
Visited early Sunday evening when it was quiet. Good pint of ale (Gadds). Note restricted opening hours. It does food which I suspect is pretty good.
23 Apr 2012 18:50
Friendly and welcoming bar - really the bar to a restaurant. Tribute was OK, but more the feel of a wine bar or even hotel reception. Food was good (and available mid-Sunday afternoon)
23 Apr 2012 18:48
Upscale gastropub, but with excellent home-brewed beer. The food was good and imaginative, but the visit spoilt by a number of badly behaved children (it was a lunchtime and the place was full of yummy mummies and their spoilt brats). There s a drinking area and there is no pressure to order food. Probably worth visiting again in the summer when one can sit outside and just enjoy a drink.
28 Jan 2012 18:25
If you want to see how Youngs can wreck a pub come here. Went in recently on a Monday evening, place deserted, TVs and loud music, uninterested bar staff and bad beer (Winter Warmer, which to give them credit they changed without complaint). I remember when the Red Cow was a proper pub...
28 Jan 2012 18:21
Very good beer (Fullers Black Cab stout) and nibbles when I went there the other week. My companion certainly enjoyed her ESB. Definitely majors on food tho'
28 Jan 2012 18:18
Quirky elongated bar in faux Victorian style. Rather boisterous at end of evening when we called in. My Tetley's was OK but the rest of the party was less enthusiastic about their choices. Pleasant enough, but probably not a place to visit again.
6 Nov 2011 22:31
Pleasant enough locals pub with one hand pump, selling Marstons Bitter. Very close to Rotherham FC's ground so presumably busy on match days.
6 Nov 2011 22:27
The place was deserted on a Friday night in term time, too. You have to ask why. The decor was rather bland, the staff were friendly enough but the beer (Famers Blond and Pale Rider) was distinctly tired. There are many, many better places in Sheffield than this.
6 Nov 2011 22:25
Excellent survival from the thirties. Some debate among my friends about the quality of the beer, but I thought the quality of my Tetleys was more than acceptable (so there)
6 Nov 2011 22:21
Excellent friendly pub with pocket friendly beers. On Friday nights there were queues to get in, but it was much quieter but still busy on Sunday lunchtime.
6 Nov 2011 22:19
The Coopers Tavern, Burton-Upon-Trent
What more can be said - a superb survival with excellent Bass
6 Nov 2011 22:17
Long one bar pub in retro 1970s look with lots of mirrors and polished floors. Beer (the �2 mild) very unpleasant. But perhaps not a surprise as everybody was drinking wine or larger. The Three Tuns (not yet on Beer on the Evening) about five minutes walk further down Chesterfield Road is a much better place with excellent beer and food - so go there
6 Nov 2011 22:15
A pub as they used to be. It was like walking into a time warp. It is on two floors with lots of wood panelling. Pleasant staff (and enough of them). Beer good, if you like Sam Smith's strange tasting Old Brewery Bitter.
At 7pm the place was busy with a mixture of students and local workers, but not as rammed as the Wellington next door. Well worth another visit.
29 Oct 2011 10:29
Large pub with an emphasis on food. A mecca for walkers and families. Food average, beer (Fullers IPA) average, staff pleasant. Not my sort of place but it is OK if you are on a walk and want a pit stop.
29 Aug 2011 20:05
The Rose and Crown, Wimbledon Village
Next exterior hides spacious and rather bland interior typical of many Youngs pubs these days. Beer - Young's Bitter - again pretty average. Can't say I'd want to come back, but as as the place was pretty busy I am perhaps in a minority.
21 Aug 2011 08:53
Strange one this. Two bar pub, with a small Lewes History Room saloon bar and a large public bar with stone floors, no atmosphere plus a terrible smell of frying food. The Harveys Best from the barrel was in good condition which I suppose is what counts. For a brewery tap Harveys really has to try a lot harder.
29 Jul 2011 17:55
Much improved since I was there a couple of years ago, The beer Harveys Best was in superb condition and there were more than happy to prepare food for our large party even though the kitchen was about to close.
29 Jul 2011 17:51
Friendly local's pub with attentive bar staff. Apart from the Express near Kew Bridge this is the only pub I have ever across which provides snacks in bowls. Unusual d�cor. Four real ales - I had the Adnams which was in good condition. My only gripe is that my Thai curry was slightly disappointing. However there are lots of other restaurants and cafes in the area. Definitely worth coming back to.
16 Jul 2011 19:02
Superb two bar Victorian pub with a fine range of beers. I was there early evening and the place was mainly full of locals all of whom seemed to be known to the bar staff.
26 Jun 2011 09:18
Stunning unspoilt community pub with an excellent range of beers. I had a stunning pint of TT Landlord. It's slightly off the beaten track but well worth tracking down.
26 Jun 2011 09:15
Went there recently and all the beers were either off or on their way out. And the staff did not seem too bothered about this. Clearly Brodies need to get a grip.
26 Jun 2011 09:12
Surprisingly good 'Spoons pub, more of a local than the traditional cavernous drinking den that most Wetherspoon's are. Had an excellent pint of Redemption. Staff friendly and attentive. Good mixed client�le for early evening.
26 Jun 2011 09:10
The Railway Tavern, Chelmsford
Superb location opposite station with fine 19th century facade promising an old fashioned boozer. Inside however was all pine and rather bland (a metaphor for Chelmsford itself?). Beer was fine. Very much a locals pub.
28 May 2011 09:23
Superb 16th century facade conceals an inside which has been entirely and unsympathetically modernised over the years. Beer disappointing. Fortunately the barmaid could not get the sound system to work otherwise we would have been subjected to over-loud music. All in all perhaps the least satisfactory Harvey's pub I have been to. However the place was busy enough.
28 May 2011 09:20
The Duke of Cumberland, Henley
Very nice pub in a superb isolated location with fine views over the downs. The pub is now very much food orientated. Friendly staff and a good pint. We did not eat but clearly the food is a major attraction.
28 May 2011 09:15
Surprisingly quiet pub for a Friday night particularly it is very much a gastropub, although there remains a drinking area. The beer was fine and the food pretty good. Even so there was a slight air of desperation.
28 May 2011 09:12
The White Horse Inn, Priors Dean
Hard to find rambling pub with attached camping site. Beer in good condition, mainly from Fullers/Gales range. I can recommend the moreish smoked nuts if you want a snack.
28 May 2011 09:09
Excellent unspoilt two-bar local seemingly untouched by time. Friendly locals and good beer. Why aren't all pubs like this?
28 May 2011 09:06
Modern ambience with large open bar and sofas scattered around. This is no doubt fine when the place is full, but when I went the place was nearly deserted so wasn't very welcoming. Large garden area with cabins where friends can sit together out of the cold (nice touch). The closest pub to Sambrooks brewery and sells Wandle in excellent condition
21 Apr 2011 20:26
Large brightly lit room with an American bar feel to it. Soft rock music in the background but not loud enough to disturb.
There is a huge range of bottled beers with all the major Belgian beers ones, but they clearly specialise in US brews in bottle and on tap. In addition there is a range of British cask ales. The draught beer we had was in excellent condition. Be warned that the foreign beers were very expensive: �3.75p per half of draught and a bottle of Frank Boon Lambic will set you back �6.25p. The client�le seemed to be a mixture of real ale scoopers and young professionals.
Unfortunately the food was somewhat of a disappointment and again it is a little expensive. Perhaps as a result not many people were eating. Pimlico is a well-restauranted area so it is not really a problem.
The staff were young, but friendly and seemed to know more about the American beers than their Belgian cousins.
All in perhaps a tad disappointing, but it you have a craving for some weird US superbrew then this the only place you can satisfy it in London and perhaps the UK.
12 Apr 2011 15:39
The Princess of Wales, Blackheath
Visited the pub on the warmest day of the years o far yesterday. The fact that this might result in extra customers clearly had caught the management by surprise. The young (female) staff were struggling hard to cope with the crush and continued to be polite and helpful, There seemed to be a male manager of some sort who clearly was a waste of space just getting in the way. That said the beer was excellent (Thornbridge Ashford) and surprisingly good food. My American guests were impressed by the supply of free iced water - probably a first for a British pub. Could have done without the yummy mummies and the ankle-biters, but I suspect this sort of place attracts them.
11 Apr 2011 16:31
Packed pub on river front. Reasonable beer and food. Perhaps a bit soulless as it is clearly part of a pub chain.
13 Feb 2011 12:13
The Old Lifeboat House, Clacton on Sea
Unfriendly locals pub seemingly occupied by chavs. We left without even ordering anything. Can't say I regret this. Won't be back.
13 Feb 2011 12:10
The Victory, Walton on the Naze
Small friendly pub with reasonable food. The best thing is the excellent beer quality. We had Holdens Golden Glow and when that ended Greene King IPA (but even good cellarmanship could not resurrect this extraordinarly bland beer). Could do without the muzak tho'
13 Feb 2011 12:09
Surprisingly good and friendly pub. We were there one Saturday afternoon and it was busy enough, but I guess it might be rammed by closing time. Personally I'd avoid the Kiwibeer which tasted like alcoholic grapefruit juice, but I'm told it is one of their best selling beers. Definitely will be coming back
20 Jan 2011 21:43
Once a glorious pub serving good beer and reasonable food. Now really a restaurant and not a very good one either. Our food was over priced and not very nice and they got the order wrong. And the beer quality wasn't great - Harveys distinctly average and the Pride OK. Still it was packed, so it must be doing something right. But I won't be back in a hurry.
20 Jan 2011 21:39
The Churchill Arms, Kensington
Superb busy pub with excellent (and reasonably priced Thai food. Good beer (Fullers) as well. Why all pubs aren't like this I don't know.
12 Dec 2010 20:58
The Land of Liberty, Peace and Plenty, Heronsgate
Visited this Sunday afternoon. The place was heaving. The only food was pasties and pork pies which were well received by the party, unlike the wine. But then pub wine is usually awful. Some fine pints of Welland Mild. One I think for connoisseurs of pubs, but if you like proper pubs as they used to be, then this is a place well worth seeking out. But it makes no concessions to the casual pub goer.
12 Dec 2010 20:56
The Filo (First In Last Out), Hastings
A bit of a walk from central Hastings, but worth it. Splendid pint of their home brew at a reasonable price too. There was a beer festival on, but didn't have time to sample any of the beers.
17 Oct 2010 20:03
Ancient pub, but rather messed about inside. Very busy for an early Saturday night mainly with people coming to eat. Food looked OK, but I just stuck to the beer. Fine pint of Harveys.
17 Oct 2010 20:01
Pleasent if curiously atmosphereless pub. Beer in good condition. Does accommodation
17 Oct 2010 19:59
I've really tried to like the Wenlock but I can't. On my last visit a few days ago 1) the beer was too warm 2) there was no bread for sandwiches 3) a rather bad trad jazz band started play at 8.30pm which drove most punters away from the pub and the locals cowering into a far distant corner. This is a pub with potential but at present has lost its mojo. Perhaps new owners can sort things out. For my money the Southampton Arms in Kentish Town does this sort of thing rather better and it is no more expensive either.
30 Jul 2010 20:41
A classic, friendly pub with full range of Harvey's beers. Marred unfortunately by huge and very intrusive screen in public bar showing sports and overloud muzak in the saloon bar.
16 Jul 2010 13:46
The Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak
Very nice pub with good beer and pickled eggs, although I do wish they would top up glasses without being asked.
16 Jul 2010 13:41
Nice 17th century pub leading back from St Giles. Unfortunately the bar area has been done up in bright pine which effectively destroys the atmosphere of what ought to be a classic pub. Beer OK. Slightly surly service. Surprisingly quiet although in fairness it is just outside tourist Oxford.
26 May 2010 13:33
Visited mid-evening last week. Extremely busy with an affluent crowd and rather noisy as a result. Had a superb pint of Adnams Bitter. Friendly barman
18 May 2010 13:30
Busy hotel right on the quayside. Bays Golden was good while the Doom Bay was tired. Food reasonable although for some reason I had a large dollop of mash potatoes with my salt beef bap. Worth visiting for the space age gents.
9 May 2010 23:26
Very busy due to Dartmouth Music Festival. Mainly I think for foodies with a restaurant above a tiny bar in an Elizabethan house. Beer was good.
9 May 2010 23:24
The Great Western Hotel, Exeter
Wide range of beers in friendly pub catering for people from all ages. O'Hanlons Port Stout was stunning. Serves a wide range of reasonably priced food. The attached hotel offers good value accommodation.
9 May 2010 23:22
Excellent friendly locals pub, just above the town. Some good beer and excellent pork pies.
9 May 2010 23:19
The pub is a survival from another era and doesn't seem to have changed much since the mid 19th century. Some excellent pints and good (if tad expensive) sandwiches. The bar staff were very friendly and helpful. Note the restricted opening hours ie 12-2pm on Sunday lunchtimes. It is a place that everybody who likes a great pub should visit at least once in their lifetime.
9 May 2010 23:17
Excellent friendly local, Busy even on a Monday lunchtime. And why not there is excellent beer from the local brewery and freshly cooked food. Why aren't all pubs like this.
16 Mar 2010 22:16
A proper pub serving proper beer. There is food but it does not dominate and the beer was in excellent condition.
16 Mar 2010 22:14
A suprisingly large pub set back in a side street near Moorfields Eye Hospital (where many of the customers come from). The beer was well kept, especially the Oscar Wilde Mild. Food OK, although the Salt Beef sandwich was not as good as those served at the Wenlock Arms, but this is a nicer and cleaner pub.
29 Jan 2010 13:20
When I was there last night the place was absolutely packed - I don't think I've been in such a busy pub for years. According to the unflusterred barman Thursday and Fridays are always busy. Many of the customers were students, attracted by cheap beer, but it certainly did not feel like a student bar. The walls are decorated with prints and photos alluding to the pub's glory days in the 1930s and 1940s when anybody in Literary London who was anyone drank there. My pint of Extra Stout was magnificent, although there did not seem to be any real ale.
29 Jan 2010 13:16
Seems to have revived a bit in recent months. The staff were helpful and the food surprisingly good. My pint Pale Rider was fine. But it is clearly a place for rail and beer anoraks.
29 Jan 2010 13:12
Rather large single bar pub with island bar. Ineresting paintings on the war in part makes up for rather soulless atmosphere. The USP is waitress service, but they don't seem to know how to do it properly - the waitperson had to return to the bar to pay in our money after each round. It was quiet so it didn't matter much but might cause problems if busy. Beer average (Landlord, Deuchars, and London Pride]. Waitstaff very pleasant. Food also average although the chips were excellent. My visit was on one of coldest nights of winter so this might have affected the beer and it might normally have been busier.
9 Jan 2010 19:38
The Blacksmith's Arms, Rotherhithe
A few years ago this was a decent local boozer with regulars and a real atmosphere. On my visit yesterday all this had changed at 1pm we were the only visitors, the atmosphere had gone, altho' the beer (London Pride) was OK. We didn't try the Thai food. I'm afraid that this another miscalculation by Fullers.
16 Aug 2009 11:01
Basically a restaurant with a small bar. Drinkers are welcome - there are four handpumps with a range of unusual beers and beer festivals on the May and August bank holidays. Large beer garden.
29 Jun 2009 13:23
The Plough and Harrow, Tilmanstone
Excellent friendly local with a fine pint of Masterbrew. Does food, but this is not prominent. Has interesting mining related memorabilia and images - you wouldn't believe it now, but Tilmanstone was once the centre of the Kentish coal mining industry.
29 Jun 2009 13:22
This is what all pubs should be - excellent beer and friendly locals. No lager, Guinness or food, let alone fruit machines, piped music etc etc.
Clearly the landlady and staff know what they are doing and their commitment shows. Superb.
Drop everything and go there now (and take your lager drinking friends with you) - it'll be the best decision you'll make all day.
26 Jun 2009 19:03
Apparently a CAMRA national heritage pub, although apart from the lack of a bar and a charming front bar I could not see why. Beer (Sussex bitter) disappointing. Otherwise OK, but probably not worth going out of your way to visit
26 Jun 2009 18:56
Pleasent enough pub with reasonable food especially on a warm summer's night. Excellent pint of Ringwood
26 Jun 2009 18:54
Manningtree Station Buffet, Lawford
Once this was a classic boozer, but sadly since I last visited it a decade ago it has fallen on hardtimes. Now a rather uninteresting pub with loud music and intrusive TV. No food, and uninteresting beer (although in good condition). Sadly this is an example of why many British pubs are due to close. Its a pity because the location and building suggests there are possibilities here, along the lines of the Dewsbury, Huddersfield and Stalybridge station buffets.
18 May 2009 13:46
Busy unremarkable town centre pub. Golden Best disappointing. Friendly staff
12 May 2009 19:41
Busy pub with friendly locals. It was so busy that we had to sit in the alley. Beer reasonable, but nothing special.
12 May 2009 19:39
Classic with good range of beer. Despite it being a Friday evening it was fairly quiet - perhaps everybody was in the folk club which meets in a back room.
12 May 2009 19:38
Interesting pub with good beer. Before 9pm on a Friday evening it is a standard gastropub, but suddenly it empties out. Our party ordered food at 8.30 and it took an age to arrive (perhaps the last order of the evening). My oxtail stew was tasty if not very warm. Still worth a visit
12 May 2009 19:36
A classic - definitely one of the great pubs to visit before you die. Excellent beer and the black pudding and black peas a revelation. Friendly service.
12 May 2009 19:33
The Head of Steam, Huddersfield
Excellent beer (Thwaites Dark Mild) in busy pub. A friend had a sandwich which looked pretty good.
12 May 2009 19:31
The West Riding Refreshment Rooms, Dewsbury
Excellent packed pub, cracking beer. Very obliging service when one of our party had to take his beer back.
12 May 2009 19:29
Interesting pub and clearly well worth a visit if you are a connoisseur of unspoilt pubs, but the worst toilets I have encountered in a pub for many years and my beer was distinctly average
12 May 2009 19:28
Pleasant but unspectacular pub with emphasis on food. Ram Tam in good condition and food OK.
12 May 2009 19:21
Very much food orientated with a strong smell of vinegar and cooking. Excellent pint of Jennings Bitter and extremely friendly and helpful landlord/manager.
12 May 2009 19:20
Surprisingly successful locals pub with separate areas for drinkers and diners, so the two don't over lap, plus small chill-out room up a flight of spiral stairs. Food is usually good, especially the house burger. Beer quality does vary, but is rarely bad, but also rarely brilliant. The Twickenham brewery beer is worth trying if it is available, otherwise the a range of real ales from the usual regional brewers.
19 Apr 2009 18:47
Used to be a great locals pub, but rather ruined by several typical makeovers by Youngs. Beer is usually good, however.
19 Apr 2009 18:43
My visit last week was a bit disappointing. No Chiswick and the London Pride was distinctly average. Food ended promptly at 9pm, despite a large group of hungry punters who came in a few minutes later. Atmosphere a little clinical. All in all I thought the place was rather resting on its laurels
16 Mar 2009 16:23
Loud music and three TV screens plus the dimmest (but pleasant) bar maid I've ever come across. On the other hand it sold bottles of Suffolk Strong, so can't be all bad.
13 Jan 2009 13:45
Called in today excellent pint of Original and friendly staff. It was quiet, but in the evening I guess it is a cracking locals pub with lots going on.
6 Jan 2009 20:13
The Greenwich Union, Greenwich
Somewhat improved since my last visit about a year ago with darker more intimate lighting which led to a better atmospher. I thought the barstaff were pleasant and the food was pretty good. The range and quality of beer can't be faulted, but it is very expensive. You'd have to be well healed to have it as a local, but as an occasional treat it is well worth it.
9 Dec 2008 12:43
Went back for the first time in fifteen years - the most memorable feature of a tiny public bar has gone and separate saloon bars. Instead there is a large room with separate areas for eating and drinking. The result was a bit bland, rather reminiscent of an American bar. There was a very mixed clientele with families, groups of friends and the occasional loner reading the Sunday papers; the beer Youngs Ordinary was good and the steak sandwich tasty. The young staff helpful and friendly, although it took time to get served. I don't much like it, but clearly Youngs are doing something right.
20 Oct 2008 22:20
Fine pint of Harveys in a local's local. My only gripe is a strong small of toilet cleaner near the toilets. I have never seen a gents with so many little blocks of disinfectant!
20 Oct 2008 22:14
Nearly empty on a Friday night with just a few friendly locals. It is in the National Inventory of Historic Pubs and is well worth visiting, but for how much longer I wonder as only one bar was open. Quality of the beer reasonable.
20 Oct 2008 22:11
Pleasant country pub with a food area at one end. The food was reasonable and not over-priced by London standards. Excellent pint of Larkins Bitter.
20 Oct 2008 22:07
Service was OK, but beware of the extraordinary prices: �9.70 for a pint of London Pride, small glass of wine, packet of crisps and a bowl of salted peanuts. Still the beer was in excellent condition.
18 Sep 2008 07:38
Adnams Bitter in excellent condition and I seem to remember at �2.65 sensibly priced. Food was OK and welcome warm. Closes mid-afternoon, but not a problem for us.
14 Sep 2008 08:52
Was there early evening on a Friday night. Very busy. Beer (Elgoods Black Dog) was excellent and they sold locally made scratchings (very moreish). You could try a sample of the beer before buying. Unfortunately there is a clear emphasis on food - which looked excellent - and our table was reserved from 7.15 for a party who were coming for a meal.
14 Sep 2008 08:48
Slightly scruffy pub, very busy on a Friday night. Beer good and food OK, staff friendly and helpful. It's about 15 minutes walk from the station or central Cambridge. If you are walking down Mill Road from the centre there is an excellent beer centred off-licence close to Gwydir Road.
14 Sep 2008 08:44
The beer was excellent (Sussex PA/Hadlow Bitter) and pretty good food. Slightly grumpy and slow barman. A long thin pub with many rooms. About two minute walk from railway station.
14 Sep 2008 08:40
Certainly better than when I went a year ago when the place was nearly deserted and the beer poor. Very cliquey and I thought the Best not at its best. I expect a period of TLC might restore the pub to what it used to be.
14 Sep 2008 08:38
Despite initial doubts resulting from previous experiences with pubs with a similar sort of decor and ambiance the beer (Best) and food were excellent and the staff were friendly and helpful.
14 Sep 2008 08:35
Friendly, traditional pub with obliging landlord. Gadds Ales in excellent condition. Food OK. About five minutes walk from Canterbury West station. Well worth looking out.
6 Sep 2008 20:33
Popped in for a pint last Saturday afternoon. Beer - Adnams Broadside - in very good condition and the bar staff helpful. Clearly very much a gastropub, but there was a separate bar for drinkers. The food and bar snacks seemed expensive, and a friend grumbled about the price of a pint of lager, but the real ale seemed reasonably priced for the area.
3 Sep 2008 13:36
The Great Western, Wolverhampton
No loud music (I'm pleased to say). Very good beer, good snacks and helpful and obliging staff. What more do you want. One of my top ten pubs in the UK.
14 May 2008 13:36
We were there last Saturday early evening. The place was very quiet. They were not doing food, despite an A-board outside. The landlord explained that there was no demand on a Saturday night.
The beer was OK, but perhaps not brilliant. The place was nearly deserted. The impression I got was that it was a pub dying on its feet. I hope I'm wrong, because once upon a time it was a 'bostin'' place as they say locally.
14 May 2008 13:34
Very friendly pub - and helpful too. The beer was good with a wide range of local beers. Certainly worth a visit if you are in Sheringham
20 Apr 2008 09:03
The Fox and Anchor, Smithfield
I know I shouldn't have been I was slightly underwhelmed by this pub. Perhaps it was the distinct smell of cooking oil in the 'back bar' or that it was rather chilly or that it still looked very new. However there was nothing wrong with the beer (Nethergate IPA) or the food (Steak and Oyster pie), so perhaps it was me.
8 Mar 2008 21:38
The old barman was still there when I was there a couple of weekends ago, serving a stunning pint of Fullers London Porter. The only distraction was a very smokey fire - reminiscent of the bad old days before the smoking ban. Even so a true classic!
8 Mar 2008 21:34
Superb, unchanging. Good beer and I can vouch from previous visits the food (mostly generously filled rolls) is good. Undoubtedly one of the top twenty best pubs in the UK.
24 Jan 2008 19:29
Definitely geared towards food and packed as a result - I'm not sure how people who just wanted a drink would feel. My steak baguette was the best I've ever had. There was a variety of local real ales. Mine was fine but nothing special. Note the open gallery above the bar - a unique feature in pubs.
24 Jan 2008 19:26
Clearly a locals pub with food added on. Beer in reasonable condition. Nothing special but OK
24 Jan 2008 19:23
The Lord Nelson, Brightwell Baldwin
A pleasant stop; the beer was in good condition. Staff friendly and they brought free olives. The pub was almost deserted, perhaps the other reviews here put people off!
24 Jan 2008 19:21
A great pub. Indeed once upon a time all pubs were like this. Full of locals of all ages, a buzz of conversation and great beer. Also try their scratchings - some of the best this side of Brierley Hill!
2 Jan 2008 13:34
18th century survival in a side street off Berkeley Square. I had the best pint of Youngs Ordinary since it began to be brewed in Bedford, although it was a bit pricey (�2.90). I've also eaten here and the steak was excellent: the menu makes few concessions for vegetarians.
4 Sep 2007 07:51
A superb local which does things properly - decent beer (sensible prices) and reasonably priced food (which does not dominate). Add decent service, pleasant bar staff and no loud music, TV screens and you have a winner. Simple really. It would get a 10 but for the occasional whiff of chip fat which can dominate the atmosphere, but wasn't present on my last visit.
15 Aug 2007 15:13
Since I visited last the pub seems to be under new management - but no discernable difference in ambience, except that portions of the food were much large than I remembered, but at no cost to the quality. Beer also good with some of the best Harveys in London, although it is not cheap (�2.90 a pint).
3 Aug 2007 22:33
Fine pub near Richmond Station. Quality of the handpulled beers (Young's) is variable. The Thai food is both excellent and very good value for money. There is a small sun-trap garden at the back.
Nina the barmaid is one of the hardest working people I have ever met and seems to have a photographic memory for what her customers are drinking.
9 Jul 2007 09:34
The Express Tavern, Kew Bridge
A classic free house with a range of excellent well kept beers. Youngs Ordinary (known here as PA) and Bass are always on, with two or three guests normally from Northern or Scottish micros and regionals. I've always found service to be good and Liz, the landlady is one of the nicest people around. Beneath Gordon's dour countenance beats a heart of gold. There's a small and immaculately kept garden at the back. Food is available, and, uniquely, crisps and peanuts come with their own little plate. A real gem.
9 Jul 2007 09:28
Still a great pub keeping a fine pint of beer, and definitely well worth a visit. However, for heaven's sake, don't eat here. The food is expensive and pretty ordinary - despite a fancy menu which is supposed to change daily. And when I was there on a recent Saturday lunchtime there was only one member of staff on, so service was very slow.
9 Jul 2007 09:18
We were disappointed when a group visited one Saturday afternoon recently. The beer (Ventnor Golden Best) was not good and there was an unpleasant atmosphere. A shame really because I had good memories of visiting a decade or so ago.
8 Jul 2007 20:27
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The Inn At Kew, Kew
A pub that has sadly gone down hill in recent years. Went there yesterday. Had a disgusting pint served by a borderline surly barman. No loo rolls in toilet! Frankly the place is worth avoiding. There are better places nearby.
10 Nov 2021 21:12